[topicmapmail] modelling synonyms

[Lars Marius Garshol]

* racker17@gmx.de
| 
| I am new to the field of topic maps. I want to create a topic map
| which is based on an ontology. In this ontology there are synonyms
| used for several concepts. What is the best way to model a thing
| like synonyms in XTM?

I would do it by creating a single topic that represents the
underlying concept, and then give it one name for each synonym.
If there is some systematic way to distinguish the synonyms I would
consider using scope to identify that.

| Is it useful to do this with the variant name element?

I would rather use base names for this, unless the synonyms are
variants of one another. Basically, when you say that name A is a
variant of name B you are asserting that there is a close relationship
between the names _as_names_, that the one is a variant of the other
that is more appropriate in some contexts.

I hope this helps.

-- 
Lars Marius Garshol, Ontopian         <URL: http://www.ontopia.net >
ISO SC34/WG3, OASIS GeoLang TC        <URL: http://www.garshol.priv.no >